Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

Compare Columbia College Chicago in Chicago, IL with University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Whitewater is larger than Columbia College based on total student enrollment (11,746 students vs. 5,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Columbia College Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Columbia College Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Columbia College Chicago 15:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Columbia College or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Wisconsin Whitewater than Columbia College ($12,709 vs. $29,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 60.8% lower than at Columbia College Chicago ($8,090 vs. $20,629).
• Columbia College Chicago is 295.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $25,472 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.1% higher at Columbia College than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $15,372 more per year; $34,088.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Columbia College Chicago than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia College Chicago students is 300.7% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($22,780 vs. $5,685).

Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Columbia College or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Columbia College.

• Columbia College Chicago reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Columbia College - Open admission; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia College Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia College students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• Columbia College has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.1% at Columbia College vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Columbia College vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Columbia College and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Columbia College Chicago's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Columbia College graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,600 vs. $37,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Whitewater graduates have a $1,029 lower median loan debt than Columbia College graduates ($24,971 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Columbia College graduates ($258 vs. $268).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.